Revelation 6 7

Revelation 6:7 kjv

And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

Revelation 6:7 nkjv

When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, "Come and see."

Revelation 6:7 niv

When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!"

Revelation 6:7 esv

When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!"

Revelation 6:7 nlt

When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living being say, "Come!"

Revelation 6 verses

Revelation 6 7 Meaning

Revelation 6:7 describes a pivotal moment in the unfolding sequence of God's judgments upon the earth. The Lord Jesus Christ, symbolized as the Lamb, continues His unique prerogative to open the seals of a scroll that dictates future events. With the breaking of the third seal, the third of the four mysterious living creatures, who reside perpetually around God's throne, utters a direct and authoritative command. This imperative summons, "Come and see," functions as an announcement that calls forth the specific judgment associated with this seal (famine) and also serves as an invitation for the apostle John, and by extension all who read this prophecy, to bear witness to the righteous judgments being enacted.

Revelation 6 7 Context

Revelation 6:7 is embedded within the broader context of the apocalyptic visions granted to the Apostle John. It follows Revelation 5, where the Lamb (Jesus Christ) is introduced as the only worthy One in all creation to open a divinely sealed scroll, which contains God's sovereign plan for redemption and judgment. Chapter 6 initiates the unfolding of these judgments through the successive breaking of seven seals. The first four seals uniquely introduce "horsemen," commonly known as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, each symbolizing a distinct judgment (conquest, war, famine, death). This verse specifically concerns the opening of the third seal, which will subsequently reveal the black horse and its rider, associated with economic hardship and scarcity. For the original Christian audience in Asia Minor, experiencing Roman persecution and socio-economic pressures, these visions of divine judgment provided profound reassurance that God was in control, that justice would prevail, and that suffering had purpose within God's unfolding plan. The sequence of judgments, like famine, mirrored familiar tribulations described in Old Testament curses (e.g., Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 28) and real-world ancient suffering.

Revelation 6 7 Word analysis

• When He opened (ὅτε ἤνοιξεν, hote ēnoixen):

  • He: Refers unequivocally to the Lamb, Jesus Christ, from Revelation 5:6-7. This highlights His unique, inherent authority and power to orchestrate and initiate the execution of God's sovereign will and judgments.
  • opened: Denotes a specific, decisive, and completed action, signifying the deliberate unlocking and initiation of a new phase of divine action, revealing what was previously sealed.

• the third seal (τὴν τρίτην σφραγῖδα, tēn tritēn sphragida):

  • third: Indicates a specific numerical position within a series of seven, highlighting the systematic, sequential, and preordained nature of these judgments as they unfold in a divine timetable.
  • seal: Represents an authoritative closure, protecting contents until its specific unveiling. Its removal marks revelation and the unleashing of specific events, in this case, a new stage of global judgment.

• I heard (ἤκουσα, ēkousa):

  • This direct statement confirms John's reception of the vision through an auditory sensory experience, emphasizing the real, perceptible nature of the divine communication being conveyed.

• the third living creature (τοῦ τρίτου ζῴου, tou tritou zōou):

  • third: Denotes the specific order of the celestial beings that circle God's throne (Rev 4:6-8). Each creature announces a successive judgment.
  • living creature: One of the four enigmatic, divinely appointed beings around God's throne, frequently associated with different aspects of creation or divine attributes. Their voice signals God's immediate action, indicating their active participation in the divine courtroom and their anticipation of God's just decrees. In Old Testament parallels (Ezek 1, 10), these creatures often symbolize attributes like strength (ox), wisdom (man), majesty (lion), swiftness (eagle).

• say, "Come and see." (λέγοντος Ἔρχου [καὶ ἴδε], legontos Erchou [kai ide]):

  • say: Indicates the verbal, audible command, not merely a mental impression.
  • Come (Ἔρχου): An imperative, commanding summons. This is a direct order. Its recipient can be understood as either John, inviting him to witness the next unfolding event, or the horseman himself, being called forth to execute his appointed task. Most scholarship supports it being an invitation to John.
  • and see (καὶ ἴδε): Though debated in some older manuscripts (missing in some for the fourth seal), its inclusion here reinforces the invitation to observe and bear witness. This phrase draws the reader into the immediate drama, making them a direct recipient of the revelation. It signifies that what is about to be revealed is important and meant to be perceived and understood.

Revelation 6 7 Bonus section

• The "Come and see" invitations spoken by the living creatures are directly addressed to John, making him (and the reader by extension) a privileged spectator to the unfolding eschatological drama, emphasizing the certainty and transparency of these divine judgments.
• The progression of the first three seals from a general spirit of conquest (white horse) to large-scale war (red horse), and then to widespread famine/economic distress (black horse) showcases an escalating pattern of global suffering. These are seen not as final judgments but as intensified consequences and signs preceding the ultimate climax of God's wrath.
• The third living creature is often symbolically identified with the "face of a man" or "ox" from Ezekiel's cherubim, representing various aspects of creation or human existence. Regardless of the specific animal symbolism, their united voice in announcing judgment indicates that all of creation is attuned to God's sovereign will and participates in its unfolding, whether through worship or proclaiming His justice.

Revelation 6 7 Commentary

Revelation 6:7 reveals the steadfast execution of God's judgment plan by Christ, the Lamb, through the symbolic opening of the third seal. The consistent pattern of a living creature's authoritative "Come and see!" highlights the orchestrated, deliberate, and public nature of these judgments. This particular summons introduces the third wave of tribulation upon the earth, typically associated with the black horse of famine and economic distress. It reinforces that divine sovereignty presides over even global crises; events are not random, but part of a unfolding prophetic sequence that Christ initiates and oversees. For believers, this serves as both a comfort, affirming God's ultimate control, and a call to readiness, recognizing the gravity of these prophesied events. These are not merely symbolic portrayals but significant stages leading towards the ultimate fulfillment of God's purposes, culminating in His righteous reign.